Knitting, sewing, crocheting and more: if it can be done with fibers, it's fair game!

Friday, January 29, 2016

Pattern Testing and Design

Knitters love to try new designs. When we want to offer those designs to others, however, it is good to have several knitters test a pattern. I may create something on the fly and make a few notes so I can reproduce the item in the future; Those notes are not enough for someone else to knit the design.

I enjoy testing patterns for designers. My latest tests were of some slouch hats by Tracie Taggart, aka PETALKNITS. You can buy her patterns on Ravelry. Shown here is the Madilyn Slouch:

It has a simple, pretty lace pattern around the hem and is quick to knit. Her many designs include garments for infants, children, and adults.

Testers use the instructions supplied by the designer and follow guidelines for yarn, needles/gauge, etc. They then offer feedback about errors or ambiguities in the instructions and whether they were able to achieve the proper gauge/finished measurements. Testers are an important part of the design process, just as proofreaders and editors are for writers.